In the early 21st century, the world crumbled due to a mistake in the creation of a machine with the aim of building it to carry out all the tasks humans had to do.
It all started with a little spark that everyone thought was a simple electrical mistake, but the spark was followed by a massive explosion and some creepy robot started forming out of nowhere, freezing everyone they came in contact with. This caused a lot of chaos around the city of Vasma where the tragedy took place, leaving only a few traumatized people and some archeologists believing they had done something bad to the goddess of the city and preparing to do the worst to bring the city back to life. It was known to be a city where almost everyone dreamed of being, because all hard work in the city is done by computers or robots created, life was very easy in the city until tragedy struck. This is the city of "VASMA".
Malcom is an archeologists known for his fearlessness and doing what no one has feared to do in terms of going deep into the forest to reclaim artifacts that have earned him a lot of reputation, and he is well known in the world. He was keen on bringing the city back to life with the map given to him by his father when he was still young and a few brave archeologists. He remembered his father once told him on his deathbed that he was going to save the city, but he didn't tell him which way. His father also told him that the map was going to be very useful in achieving the task. He knew that was what his father's last words were, so he wouldn't take it for granted.
"Hey Ryan!!" Malcom called out one of his research teammates and continued "You know we are going to get the task done today, and we don't know how long it will take to complete this mission, you know" Malcom said.
"Yes, I understand, and I have gotten the team ready for the mission we are all set on, sir" Ryan sometimes used sir and called him by name because he was older than Malcom said. Then they made a signal to the others that made them move closer.
They all went out with all their instruments and got ready for the journey that had no return date. 20-year-old Malcom and 23-year-old Ryan were set to bring back the lost city and bring it back to life again.
*the edge of the "Fulil" forest"*
"As you can all see, this map has brought us here and this place is identified as the "Fulil forest", Malcom said, moving closer and showing them the map in his right hand.
"Captain, what are we going to do in this thick forest ahead of us and why must we pass through it to get what we want?" Ryan asked, raising a doubt about the quest.
"This is our only option, Ryan", Malcom said, patting Ryan on his shoulder before continuing, "Hello everyone, we have three artifacts to uncover if we ever want to restore our city, but the map didn't highlight the artifacts here, and I am afraid we have to brave the jungle to check it out ourselves" Malcom words send fear into the spines of the crew before Ryan finally step up to say something that broke the silence.
"Hey Malcom, we can't just go into this forest full of predators without having a guide or a destination like cattle with no herdsmen, but I don't talk without having an idea, you know" Ryan said, frustrated about Malcom's decision.
"What is the idea, is it reasonable?I hope it is not dangerous"? Those were the words that came out of the crew's mouths.
"I think I know a shaman that we can consult on a solution on how to locate the artifacts. She is located down the north over there", Ryan said, pointing at the northern end of the path.
"Okay, I think we should give it a try, but does a shaman still exist?" Malcom said as Ryan led the way to the shaman's hut.
"Well I am not sure either, but I saw her once" Ryan said, concluding the discussion as they all went towards the shaman's hut.
As they moved closer to the hut, they saw a grave by the shaman's hut, but all ignored the sight and fixed on where they were going.
"What is this smell?" Kilman, one of the crew asked.
#shut it up will you" Malcom said, more like he was whispering.
As they got into the hut they met the shaman burning something that looked like a cat in her furnace.
"Good afternoon ma" Malcom said with a little grin on his face, seeing that the shaman paid no attention to their arrival.
"Well, I have got eyes on my back and I can see you guys. I am just waiting for your formal greetings, and you watch your mouth next time I don't do no jokes here okay?" She said pointing at Kilman with an aggressive look on her ugly face.
"Yes ma, we are not here for jokes, we only came for a few questions, and we are done here hag", Malcom said, getting pissed by the nonsense she had been sprouting since, but his manners didn't go unnoticed, as she sent him to the wall unannounced In the speed of a lightning this made Malcom groaned in the pain caused by the impact.
"Hey, twenty-years-old, watch your mouth next time. That is just a tip of the iceberg, okay" the shaman said, and continued with her rituals.
"How did you know my name?" Malcom asked, still in pain.
"I see you don't know me yet, right? I know everything about you boy and everyone else here, so don't ask silly questions anymore" the shaman said.
It took almost two hours before the shaman could be free enough to pay attention to them.
"Okay, young men, what has brought you here?" the shaman finally spoke to them in a welcoming voice.
"Yes, we came here about a question that we think you could have the power to solve about." Ryan said.
"Yes go on son,I am all ears" she said, moving the stool she sat on closer to them.
"Our city is in great chaos, so we stood out to save the city, but we only have a map and a hint listing three unknown artifacts we have to find to save the city. We have no hint what this could be. We only know gold crystals and diamonds with some other valuables as artifacts, so we don't know how to find it, and what the artifacts may be", Malcom said in a rather calm way now.
"Let me see the map you've got with you. It might be off help here "the shaman said as Malcom handed the map to her right away without any hesitation, as she continued,"this map looks familiar, and this point pinned as the location to find the artifacts also looks familiar.
I think I might have helped, but let me first ask the gods to see if it is the right decision to help you". These were her words before retiring to the inner chambers to consult the gods.